Arkema will distribute Zyvex’s Nano-Enhanced Resins in Europe

Published on 2009-03-17. Author :
SpecialChem

Arkema announces a distribution agreement with Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM), a recognized worldwide leader in nanomaterials applications. ZPM's nanotube-enhanced liquid epoxy resins will be sold in the European market under Arkema's brand name Graphistrength®.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to bring Zyvex Performance Materials technology to the European market, and strengthen our already close ties with Arkema" says Lance Criscuolo, President of ZPM. "Arkema will be able to offer customers the most advanced and highest performing resin systems available today".

"We are delighted to reinforce our partnership with ZPM who has worked very closely with us over the last years," comments Jean-Marc Corpart Global Graphistrength® Business Manager. "This arrangement allows us to enlarge our Graphistrength® offering with outstanding materials that will be key to the development of new markets."

The new Graphistrength® liquid epoxy resins developed by ZPM and Arkema are strengthened by high-performance, multi-wall carbon nanotubes and are suitable for advanced composites and adhesives applications. Available now in bisphenol-A or bisphenol-F, these new Graphistrength® resins will soon also be available in a tetrafunctional resin system.

ZPM technology incorporates strong, lightweight Graphistrength® carbon nanotubes into epoxy resins resulting in dramatic improvements in mechanical properties over conventional epoxy resins. With little or no change to their current manufacturing processes, Arkema customers can now make lighter parts with the same or greater strength.

Graphistrength® epoxy resins are recommended for use in composite manufacturing processes such as filament winding, pultrusion, hand lay-up, and prepreg. Graphistrength® epoxy resins can be used with most reinforcing fibers and fabrics, such as carbon, glass, and aramid. They can also be used in adhesive and coatings applications with the proper choice of curing agent.

About Arkema

A global chemical company and France's leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three strategically related businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reports sales of 5.6 billion euros. Arkema has 15,000 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.

About Zyvex Performance Materials

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Zyvex Performance Materials Inc. was spun out of Zyvex Corporation in April 2007. Zyvex Performance Materials is focused on developing nanotechnology to improve the properties of composite materials. The company's patented technology allows composites to take advantage of the superior physical and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes by enabling the even dispersion of carbon nanotubes in composites mixtures. Zyvex Performance Materials was the first company to provide carbon nanotube enhanced products to the marketplace.